The Magic of Miracle Berry
Are you one to pride yourself on growing exotic and novelty plants? Or just interested in unique and exciting plants to share with others? You may have heard of the Miracle Berry and its magical qualities. And if not, allow me to introduce you to the wild sensation of being able to make anything sour taste oh-so-sweet.
What is Miracle Berry?
Synsepalum dulcificum is a plant native to tropical areas of West Africa, where it can grow up to 20 feet tall. Here in Hawaii, it typically grows 6-10 feet tall. An attractive plant on its own, but this plant really shows off with its magical fruit. The plant produces clusters of acorn-shaped red berries, that to the untrained eye look unassuming. Upon tasting the berry, the flavor is nothing significant. The berry has a mild sweetness and tang to it, but once you allow the pulp to fully coat the inside of the mouth, you will be able to eat even the most bitter food and it will taste sweet as can be! The test is typically to eat a Miracle Berry and then take a bite of a lemon or lime. Fruits that would usually make your lips pucker suddenly make you say “Mmmm” as your eyes widen in surprise. Some even go as far as sipping on vinegar after eating a Miracle Berry and report a pleasant, sweet taste. Sounds like magic, doesn’t it? But there is a science behind this sweet phenomenon.
The compound found in Miracle Berry that allows this sensation to occur is known as Miraculin. This active compound does nothing on its own. Normally, the neutral saliva in the mouth allows the Miraculin to bind to sweet receptors and block them. But once the tongue becomes acidic, say, with lemon juice, the Miraculin binds with the salivary proteins and alters the structure. This causes the Miraculin to trigger the sweet receptors rather than block them. The sensation can last from a few minutes to several hours, depending on how much fruit you consume. Even the science behind it somehow sounds like a fantasy, so you might just have to try Miracle Berry for yourself to see the magic. We’re excited to have our own Miracle Berry plants here at the nursery. And if you love the idea of this novelty fruit, consider purchasing one to grow your own and experience the magic firsthand. We’ll help you learn how to grow a healthy Miracle Berry so that you can share this magical experience with others.
Cultivating Magic
This special plant requires high humidity and moisture. It is imperative to avoid letting the soil dry out. Be sure to always check the soil before watering to prevent waterlogging and root rot. Be sure to use a well-draining, slightly acidic soil. Adding perlite or peat to your soil will help with the acidity, along with periodically using a fertilizer for acid-loving plants. The acidity level is delicate, and the soil should be kept consistently acidic, with a pH around 5 to 5.8. The Miracle Berry can be grown in full sun or partial shade and can be grown in a container or planted in the ground. Important to note that this plant is extremely slow-growing. It’s in no rush to grow big and tall, but the patience of growing a Miracle Berry makes the reward even more sweet!
The Miracle Berry is self-pollinating, but those who grow their plant indoors or those who wish to increase the probability of fruiting can pollinate by hand. The Miracle Berry flower is unique in that it doesn’t fully “open.” The buds are open when you notice the stigma protruding from the flower. Once you see the stigma, use a toothpick or a fine paintbrush and insert it inside the flower. Be sure to make contact with the entire stigma including the tip. Repeat this with all of the “open” flowers. For optimal fruit yields, repeat this process for the next 2-3 days. The plant should start producing fruit within 90 days of being pollinated.